A viral video circulating on social media platforms claiming to be the alleged gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump has caused confusion and speculation. The FBI has identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, who was shot and killed by the Secret Service at the rally. However, the man in the video claiming to be Crooks has been debunked as a hoax by BBC Verify and deepfake expert Hany Farid. The motives of the actual shooter are still unknown, despite claims made in the video.
The videos have spread across various platforms, including TikTok, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, and Telegram, with some accounts sharing the content multiple times. The man in the video falsely claiming to be Crooks has sparked debate online about the authenticity of the footage and confusion over the actual suspect. Photos of a man purported to be Crooks circulated on social media on Saturday, with some prominent accounts boosting the images. While some videos and accounts have been taken down, new ones continue to surface.
In the midst of the false information circulating online, conspiracy theories have emerged, blaming the so-called deep state for the attack. The spread of misinformation and misleading content on social media has further fueled the chaos surrounding the assassination attempt. With millions of people turning to social media platforms for news and political commentary, there is a growing concern over the spread of unverified claims and falsehoods in public discourse. The video claiming to be the gunman has even appeared on lesser-known platforms like LiveJournal and Gloria.TV.
Despite the rapid spread of misinformation, social media platforms like TikTok, X, YouTube, Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, Reddit, LiveJournal, and Gloria.TV have not responded to requests for comment. The use of coded language, known as algospeak, has also been observed on TikTok, with users using words like “pew pew” and “sh00ter” to discuss the shooting. A post circulating on Gab, purportedly written by a Secret Service agent claiming they were ordered not to fire on Crooks, has also surfaced, though there is no evidence to support its authenticity.
The ongoing dissemination of false information following the assassination attempt has further heightened tensions in the already turbulent political climate in the United States. As social media continues to play a significant role in shaping public opinion and discourse, the need for fact-checking and verification of information becomes increasingly important. The spread of conspiracy theories and misinformation only serves to deepen divisions and create more uncertainty in an already volatile political landscape. The impact of false information on social media platforms highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in how information is shared and consumed online.
